Central Damascus: Syrians hold rally to demand freedom

Published March 15th, 2011 - 20:41 GMT

Dozens of Syrians demonstrated in Damascus on Tuesday for freedom and political reforms and against corruption.

Dozens of Syrians demonstrated in Damascus on Tuesday for freedom and political reforms and against corruption, according to opposition websites. "God, Syria, and only liberty" chanted men and women inviting their compatriots to join the "peaceful march" which was held in a central souk of Old City Damascus.

According to AFP, the young demonstrators marched through Al-Hamidiyeh and Hariqa souks drawing dozens of other Syrians with them. But security forces broke up the group arresting two of its members, witnesses said.

But the demonstrations were not confined to Damascus. Scores of Syrians gathered outside the Syrian Embassy in Cairo to demand the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Sources in Cairo said more than 300 Syrians living in Egypt were joined by a number of Egyptians to demand reforms and the departure of the current Syrian regime.